AEC Culture Fest

Travel the world in one day at Coolidge Park

By Laurel Eldridge

Photos courtesy of the Arts & Education Council

Our children are growing up in exciting times. They are coming of age in a more multicultural society and will have opportunities to live and work with people from many backgrounds. Communities are more diverse, and it is no longer necessary to travel to another state or country to experience and appreciate cultural differences.
Diversity can add meaning and interest to our lives, enhance children’s learning environments and spark deeper, more critical thinking. But first we must teach our children to appreciate each other’s differences, as well as our similarities. Right from the start, it is important to make opportunities to celebrate diversity.
AEC Culture Fest is such an opportunity. Scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Coolidge Park, this free family festival celebrates and promotes the Chattanooga area’s rich cultural diversity through music, dance, food and art. The annual celebration is presented by the Arts & Education Council, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing opportunities for lifelong learning and participation in the arts for all members of the community.
“Culture Fest brings glimpses of the whole world to Chattanooga,” says Rajul Soni, president of the local India Association. “It provides a framework for locals to interact with people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. It’s a perfect combination of entertainment and education.”
The India Association is just one of many local groups who will take to the stage at Culture Fest. Other performances include Japanese dance and taiko drumming, as well as a unique presentation of Middle Eastern music by award-winning Israeli percussionist Chen Zimbalista.
For the first time in its nine-year history, Culture Fest will include theater in its lineup of stage performances. Teatro de la Rosa will present a bilingual production of The Green Rabbit, a Mexican folktale conveyed through the use of handmade masks and props and lots of audience interaction.
Off stage, the fun continues. Visit colorful booths by merchants, artists and cultural organizations. Hear tales from around the globe in Walker Pavilion. Follow pleasant aromas to a variety of ethnic food vendors.
Kids will enjoy the hands-on elements of the festival. In the ArtQuest tent, children can take part in free craft activities and create a Festival Passport to become world travelers for a day.
Culture Fest follows the principle of an old Chinese proverb: “Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.” Participants of all ages are invited to get involved—to play an international game, learn some new dance moves, sound out ethnic rhythms on traditional instruments, or try on authentic clothing. The goal is to leave with a better understanding and awareness of cultural diversity.
So come, participate and celebrate!

Laurel Eldridge is program director for the Arts & Education Council.